Abbott takes center stage as Perry exits left

Updated 9:03 am, Sunday, July 14, 2013

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In this Monday, July 8, 2013, file photo Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott speaks to a anti-abortion rally, in Austin, Texas. Abbott appears to be in no hurry to declare his candidacy for governor, even after amassing a huge campaign war chest and a sense of inevitability among conservatives who are confident he'd cruise to election. (AP Photo/Austin American-Statesman, Alberto Martínez) less

In this Monday, July 8, 2013, file photo Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott speaks to a anti-abortion rally, in Austin, Texas. Abbott appears to be in no hurry to declare his candidacy for governor, even after ... more

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In this Monday, July 8, 2013, file photo Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott speaks to a anti-abortion rally, in Austin, Texas. Abbott appears to be in no hurry to declare his candidacy for governor, even after amassing a huge campaign war chest and a sense of inevitability among conservatives who are confident he'd cruise to election. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

In this Monday, July 8, 2013, file photo Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott speaks to a anti-abortion rally, in Austin, Texas. Abbott appears to be in no hurry to declare his candidacy for governor, even after ... more

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In this Monday, July 8, 2013 photo Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott speaks to a anti-abortion rally, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

In this Monday, July 8, 2013 photo Texas Attorney General Greg Abbott speaks to a anti-abortion rally, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay)

Texas attorney general Greg Abbott, center, applauds during Texas Gov. Rick Perry's state of the state address in the house chambers at the state capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) less

Texas attorney general Greg Abbott, center, applauds during Texas Gov. Rick Perry's state of the state address in the house chambers at the state capitol, Tuesday, Jan. 29, 2013, in Austin, Texas. (AP ... more

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"With a good wife, with three loving children and a loving God in my life, things are going to be good no matter what I do," he said.

"With a good wife, with three loving children and a loving God in my life, things are going to be good no matter what I do," he said.

Photo: MLADEN ANTONOV, AFP/Getty Images

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Campaign workers take down Perry's sign following the 11 a.m. news conference.

Campaign workers take down Perry's sign following the 11 a.m. news conference.

Photo: David Goldman, Associated Press

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The announcement comes days before the Republican primary in South Carolina. He has endorsed Newt Gingrich.

The announcement comes days before the Republican primary in South Carolina. He has endorsed Newt Gingrich.

Photo: PAUL J. RICHARDS, AFP/Getty Images

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Some supporters immediately pledge their support to Gingrich.

Some supporters immediately pledge their support to Gingrich.

Photo: David Goldman, Associated Press

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The day before Perry dropped out, conservative commentators said it was time for him to leave the race.

The day before Perry dropped out, conservative commentators said it was time for him to leave the race.

Photo: Paul Sancya, Associated Press

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On Wednesday, Perry's spokesman said he had no intentions of leaving the race and any changes in his schedule were not indications of an ending campaign.

On Wednesday, Perry's spokesman said he had no intentions of leaving the race and any changes in his schedule were not indications of an ending campaign.

Photo: Paul Sancya, Associated Press

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Perry had been polling behind Romney, Gingrich and Santorum in South Carolina.

Perry had been polling behind Romney, Gingrich and Santorum in South Carolina.

Photo: David Goldman, Associated Press

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Perry was expected to drop out after a poor performance in Iowa, but instead announced on Twitter, "Here we come South Carolina!"

Perry was expected to drop out after a poor performance in Iowa, but instead announced on Twitter, "Here we come South Carolina!"

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Perry, with wife Anita on the night of the Iowa caucus Jan. 3, placed fifth in the state and had decided to reassess his candidacy.

Perry, with wife Anita on the night of the Iowa caucus Jan. 3, placed fifth in the state and had decided to reassess his candidacy.

Photo: Jonathan Gibby, Getty Images

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Texas Monthly awarded the governor the Bum Steer of the Year, as the person who “has been responsible for the biggest screw-up, gaffe, fumble, stumble, train wreck, or humiliation of the past twelve months.” less

Texas Monthly awarded the governor the Bum Steer of the Year, as the person who “has been responsible for the biggest screw-up, gaffe, fumble, stumble, train wreck, or humiliation of the past twelve ... more

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In a controversial ad released in early December, Perry lamented how “gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can’t openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school.” It got 200,000 dislikes in less than a day and started a wave of YouTube parodies. less

In a controversial ad released in early December, Perry lamented how “gays can serve openly in the military but our kids can’t openly celebrate Christmas or pray in school.” It got 200,000 dislikes in ... more

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Perry even appeared on Letterman to play up his political punchlines, including his inability to remember a list of three.

Perry even appeared on Letterman to play up his political punchlines, including his inability to remember a list of three.

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Perry's most famous gaffe came during a Nov. 9 debate in Michigan, when he could not list the three government agencies he would eliminate as president.

Perry's most famous gaffe came during a Nov. 9 debate in Michigan, when he could not list the three government agencies he would eliminate as president.

Photo: Paul Sancya, Associated Press

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Perry loosened things up at speech in New Hampshire in October, so much so that viewers speculated he was drunk or on drugs as he shouted "Live Free or Die!" at the crowd.

Perry loosened things up at speech in New Hampshire in October, so much so that viewers speculated he was drunk or on drugs as he shouted "Live Free or Die!" at the crowd.

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Perry announced his flax-tax economic plan, “cut, balance, grow,” in October. He said Americans would be able to fill out their taxes on a postcard.

Perry announced his flax-tax economic plan, “cut, balance, grow,” in October. He said Americans would be able to fill out their taxes on a postcard.

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During a particularly aggressive CNN debate performance in Las Vegas Oct. 18, Perry was the one to go after Mitt Romney about hiring illegal immigrants.

During a particularly aggressive CNN debate performance in Las Vegas Oct. 18, Perry was the one to go after Mitt Romney about hiring illegal immigrants.

Photo: Ethan Miller, Getty

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Anita Perry as well as Perry's spiritual friends and supporters said his campaign was part of a mission from God.

Anita Perry as well as Perry's spiritual friends and supporters said his campaign was part of a mission from God.

Photo: Carolyn Cole, McClatchy-Tribune News Service

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Anita Perry said her husband was "brutalized" by the press and his political opponents over his Christian faith. The Perrys are Methodists attending an evangelical church.

Anita Perry said her husband was "brutalized" by the press and his political opponents over his Christian faith. The Perrys are Methodists attending an evangelical church.

Photo: LISA KRANTZ, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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Perry supporter Rev. Robert Jeffress, who introduced the governor at the Value Voters Summitt, controversially proclaimed that Mormons like Mitt Romney were cultish and not real Christians.

Perry supporter Rev. Robert Jeffress, who introduced the governor at the Value Voters Summitt, controversially proclaimed that Mormons like Mitt Romney were cultish and not real Christians.

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The governor was parodied on SNL nearly every week this fall, often by Bill Hader but also by guest host Alec Baldwin.

The governor was parodied on SNL nearly every week this fall, often by Bill Hader but also by guest host Alec Baldwin.

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Perry raised more than $17 million during the first six weeks of his campaign and consistently topped totals by Gingrich, Bachmann, Santorum and Huntsman.

Perry raised more than $17 million during the first six weeks of his campaign and consistently topped totals by Gingrich, Bachmann, Santorum and Huntsman.

Photo: Charlie Neibergall, Associated Press

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A Washington Post article published in October tied Perry with a family hunting ranch that had the N word painted on a rock on its property, but Perry said the name had long been changed.

A Washington Post article published in October tied Perry with a family hunting ranch that had the N word painted on a rock on its property, but Perry said the name had long been changed.

Photo: Associated Press

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During the first few debates, opponents—Michele Bachmann in particular—attacked Perry’s mandate to have Texas girls vaccinated for HPV.

During the first few debates, opponents—Michele Bachmann in particular—attacked Perry’s mandate to have Texas girls vaccinated for HPV.

Photo: Jae C. Hong, Associated Press

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Perry led national polls in September with 28 percent of the vote, beating out Romney and Bachmann.
Republican candidates two days before the Florida straw poll.

Perry led national polls in September with 28 percent of the vote, beating out Romney and Bachmann.
Republican candidates two days before the Florida straw poll.

Photo: Pool, Getty

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Perry initially pumped up Texas’ strong job record and promised to create jobs across America as president.

Perry initially pumped up Texas’ strong job record and promised to create jobs across America as president.

Photo: Mark Wilson, Getty

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Days after starting his campaign, Perry was in Iowa for the state fair, which coincides with the straw poll.

Days after starting his campaign, Perry was in Iowa for the state fair, which coincides with the straw poll.

Photo: Chip Somodevilla, Getty

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Perry announced his run for president at a Red State gathering in South Carolina on August 13.

Perry announced his run for president at a Red State gathering in South Carolina on August 13.

Photo: LISA KRANTZ, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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Conservative evangelicals looking for "their" candidate applauded his entry into the race.

Conservative evangelicals looking for "their" candidate applauded his entry into the race.

Photo: LISA KRANTZ, SAN ANTONIO EXPRESS-NEWS

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Perry declared the U.S. a nation in crisis prior to starting his presidential campaign, drawing Christians to Texas for a huge prayer rally in August.

Perry declared the U.S. a nation in crisis prior to starting his presidential campaign, drawing Christians to Texas for a huge prayer rally in August.

Photo: David J. Phillip, Associated Press

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The governor drew 30,000 people to pray at Reliant Stadium in Houston, amid concern that the event mixed Perry's presidential ambitions and role as governor with his religious faith.

The governor drew 30,000 people to pray at Reliant Stadium in Houston, amid concern that the event mixed Perry's presidential ambitions and role as governor with his religious faith.

Photo: Melissa Phillip, Houston Chronicle

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Perry prayed about entering the Republican race, saying in July, "I’m getting more and more comfortable every day that this is what I’ve been called to do."

Perry prayed about entering the Republican race, saying in July, "I’m getting more and more comfortable every day that this is what I’ve been called to do."

Photo: Darren Abate, Associated Press

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Abbott takes center stage as Perry exits left

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With Gov. Rick Perry's announcement that he will not seek re-election, the political path is cleared for Greg Abbott, who will announce his candidacy Sunday in San Antonio.

With a fat campaign account and an air of inevitability, some say Abbott has the governor's job sealed more than a year before the 2014 general election. There are no apparent powerhouse opponents in the GOP primary, and Democrats haven't elected anyone to statewide office in nearly two decades.

Most Texas voters are still learning about the man, whose views, aspirations and avowed empathy for people who, like him, face challenges can present a contrast to a record that critics say has shunned some Texans — including those with disabilities and the Hispanics he seeks to court.

In an exclusive interview with the San Antonio Express-News, Attorney General Abbott sketched his goals for Texas and talked about a life shaped but not defined by loss.

“We're turning a chapter in Texas history,” he said. “This past chapter has been one that has seen Texas rise to the very pinnacle in this nation.”